- The fourth 'In The House' collection from Defected is a bumper package, put together and mixed by label head honcho Simon Dunmore. It shows just how far the label has come since their debut release of 1999, Soulsearcher's 'Can't Get Enough' (not included here) and it also illustrates the high level of quality they've maintained.
With three CDs of peak time floor fillers you can't really go wrong, especially when the third includes such classics as the Ministers De La Funk's 'Believe', successfully interwoven with an acapella of Eddie Amador's 'Rise'. I've always had a soft spot for Dajae's 'Everyday' and it's here in Junior Jack guise, while ATFC's 'Sleep Talk' and an extended Dubtribe Sound System classic 'Do It Now' raise the roof at the end. CD1 is just as good. Opening with a deep, soulful 'It's You It's Me' from Kaskade, it progresses through the mightily funky 'Groove You Out Tonight', my favourite track on the disc, with Tyree Cooper's vocals taken to the cleaners by Grant Nelson's remix. There's also 'Bread Of Heaven' from Nikos, some true deliverance reached by Tracey Cart in this vocal with a wierd keyboard sound in the background. Meanwhile Junior Jack's 'E Samba', in acapella form, dresses up Dubtribe's 'Nothing Is Impossible' to the nines. The second CD of this handsomely packaged album goes for some DJ Gregory ('Block Party'), Bob Sinclar's excellent 'Kiss My Eyes' and a classy finish from Paul Johnson's 'Follow That Beat', with Mousse T supplying the re-rub.
So it's great house music, value for money, and a touch of class from Defected who are going from strength to strength with this excellent series. Roll on the next, Kenny Dope!